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Real
Clear Politics
Mitt Romney's
Speech at the Al Smith Dinner
By Mitt Romney
October 18, 2012
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Thank you, thank you. Thank you
so much. Your Eminence, Cardinal Dolan, Mr. President, Governor Cuomo,
Mayor Bloomberg, Senator Schumer, Al and Ann Smith. Thank you for your
invitation. Thank you for your extraordinary warm welcome. Ann and I
appreciate your friendship very, very much. Thank you.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
Now, Al, you are right, a campaign can require a lot of wardrobe
changes. We -- blue jeans in the morning perhaps, a suit for a lunch
fundraiser, sport coat for dinner, but it's nice to finally relax and
to wear what Ann and I wear around the house.
(CHEERS AND LAUGHTER)
I'm glad to be able to join in this venerable tradition. Of course, I'm
pleased that the president is here. We were chatting pleasantly this
evening as if Tuesday night never happened.
(CHEERS AND LAUGHTER)
And I credit that, of course, to the cardinal. He has -- it's taken New
York's highest spiritual authority to get us back on our best behavior.
I was actually hoping the president would bring Joe Biden along this
evening because he'll laugh at anything.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Of course, this isn't a night for serious politics. And it was
especially nice to see President Obama and Cardinal Dolan sharing the
dais despite their differences. I'm sure the cardinal has no hard
feelings and we might get an indication of that during dinner to see if
the president's wine turns into water.
(LAUGHTER)
Or for that matter, whether my water turns into wine.
(LAUGHTER)
I'm pleased to once again have the chance to see Governor Cuomo, who is
already being talked about for a higher office. A very impressive
fellow but he may be getting a little ahead of himself. I mean, let me
get this straight. The man has put in one term as a governor, he has a
father who happened to be a governor, and he thinks that's enough to
run for president.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Of course, we're down to the final months of the president's term. As
presidents --
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
As President Obama surveys the Waldorf banquet room with everyone in
white tie and finery, you have to wonder what he is thinking. So little
time, so much to redistribute. (LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
And don't be surprised if the president mentions this evening the
monthly jobs report where there was a slight improvement in the
numbers. He knows how to seize the moment, this president. He already
has a compelling new campaign slogan. You are better off now than you
were four weeks ago.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
You know, with or without all the dignitaries that are here, the Al
Smith Dinner surely lives up to its billing. Usually when I get invited
to gatherings like this, it's just to be the designated driver.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Your kind hospitality here tonight gives me a chance to convey my deep
and long-held respect for the Catholic Church, have special admiration
for the Apostle St. Peter, to whom it is said, upon this rock, I will
build my church. The story is all the more inspiring when you consider
that he had so many skeptics and scoffers at the time who were heard to
say, if you've got a church, you didn't build that.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Of course, only 19 days to go until the finish line. Campaign full of
surprises. The debates are very exciting. Just the other night, we had
a very fun debate. Candy Crowley was there and was happy to welcome us.
But people seemed to be very curious as to how we prepare for the
debates.
Let me tell you what I do. First, refrain from alcohol for 65 years
before the debate.
(LAUGHTER)
Second, find the biggest available straw man and then just mercilessly
attack it. Big Bird didn't even see it coming.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
And by the way, in the spirit of "Sesame Street," the president's
remarks tonight are brought to you by the letter O and the number 16
trillion.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Campaigns can be grueling, exhausting, President Obama and I are each
very lucky to have one person who is always in our corner, someone who
we can lean on and someone who is a comforting presence without whom we
wouldn't be able to go another day.
I have my beautiful wife, Ann. He has Bill Clinton.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
We got a big dose of the Biden charm last week, I'll tell you that, in
his debate with Paul Ryan. I'm not sure that all that carrying on had
quite the effect that Joe intended. Because afterwards I heard from the
Federal Election Commission. From now on, whenever he appears on TV
there is a recording of me afterwards that says, I'm Mitt Romney and I
approve this message.
(LAUGHTER)
Of course rules of fairness have to be enforced. Because what are the
safeguards do we have besides the press? And --
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Now I never suggest that the press is biased. I recognize they have
their job to do and I have my job to do. My job is to lay out a
positive vision for the future of the country. And their job is to make
sure no one else finds out about it.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Let's just say that some in the media have a certain way of looking at
things. When suddenly I pulled ahead in some of the major polls, what
was the headline? Polls show Obama leading from behind.
(LAUGHTER)
And I have already seen early reports from tonight's dinner. Headline,
Obama embraced by Catholics. Romney dines with rich people.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Of course, the president has put his own stamp on relations with the
church. There have been some awkward moments, like when the president
pulled Pope Benedict aside to share some advice on how to deal with his
critics. He said, look, Holy Father, whatever the problem is, just
blame it on Pope John Paul II.
(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)
Of course, the president has found a way to take the sting out of the
Obamacare mandates for the church. From now on, they are going to be in
Latin.
(LAUGHTER)
We have very fundamental and sound principles that guide both the
president and me. He and I, of course, feel the pressures and tensions
of a -- of a close contest. It'd be easy to let a healthy competition
give way to the personal and the petty but fortunately, we don't carry
the burden of disliking one another. Our president has had some very
fine and gracious moments. Don't tell anyone I said so but our 44th
president has many gifts and a beautiful family that would make any man
proud.
You can oppose --
(APPLAUSE)
In our country, you can oppose someone in politics and make a confident
case against their policies without any ill-will. And that's how it is
for me. There is more to life than politics.
At the Al Smith Foundation and the Archdiocese in New York, you show
this in the work you do. In causes that run deeper than allegiance to a
party or to any contests of the moment. No matter which way the
political winds are blowing, what work goes on, day in, day out by this
organization, and you, you answer with calm and willing hearts, in
service to the poor, care for the sick, in defense in the rights of
conscience, and in solidarity with the innocent child waiting to be
born.
You strive to bring God's love into every -- in every life.
(APPLAUSE)
I don't presume to have all your support. And on a night like this, I'm
certainly not going to ask for it. But you can be certain that in the
great causes of compassion that you come together to embrace, that I
stand proudly with you as an ally and friend.
God bless you all. And God bless the United States of America. Thank
you.
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